By Reece Burchfield
In high school, I had the best work experience of my life so far- working for a local paint your own pottery studio. This 2-year experience opened my eyes to the hard-work and commitment it takes to run a local art business. Being that it was so small, I was given a taste of everything: being a host, giving artistic advice, scheduling, stocking, social media marketing, following up with customers, running/preparing events, and anything else that needed to be done. I saw all of the behind the scenes that goes into it. Based on my experience, I will be listing 5 ways you can help support! All of the 5,000 Local Art Agencies in the nation work to better their community by giving them an unforgettable experience. According to Americans for the Arts, some of the benefits of supporting the arts are to improve individual well-being, strengthen the economy, unify communities, and have social impact. Events can even send people to surrounding businesses. Enough of the why, let's look into the 5 ways how.
1. Book/Attend an Event
The bulk of art organization’s revenue comes from their big events. Make sure to get tickets and/or participate in these experiences. After all, it’s put together for the audience (that’s you)! Depending on the business, booking an event with a group could also be a possibility. For example, the studio I worked for hosted birthdays, Boy and Girl Scout events, team bonding experiences, bachelorette parties, family gatherings, and more. Once the night has come to a close, don’t forget to…
2. Tip!
This might seem obvious to some people; tip your servers, tip your hairdresser, tip your local arts employees. In my personal experience tipping isn’t as common in the arts as it is in other industries, though it should be. The employees work hard to make a memorable and pleasant experience for the audience. Rather than simply providing the art or performance, they are actively helping and engaging the audience.
3. Leave a Review
After the experience or multiple visits, share your opinions and thoughts with a review. Other people considering going could be swayed to wanting to participate based on reviews that reflect a satisfied audience. Don’t just share the good though, let the business know how it can improve to better future events.
4. Post, Repost, & Tag
Everything is online in this day and age, so it’s common for even local businesses to have social media accounts. Posting a picture about the experience can reach many close connections. Even if attendance isn’t planned, someone can repost an event that the business is promoting on its socials. If you decide to do either of these, don’t forget to tag! The larger the reach, the better.
5.Donate
If the organization is a non-profit, then there will most likely be a ¨donate tab¨ on the website. It doesn’t have to be a lot, either. Every cent counts and is greatly appreciated. (BONUS: Possible tax breaks if you decide to donate a substantial amount. )
Local art businesses work to better the quality of life in their communities. Make sure to return the favor and support them back!
Reece Burchfield is a sophomore at Miami University working towards her major in Arts Management and Entrepreneurship and minor in Human Capital Management and Leadership. She loves going to live performances and activities outside. After graduation her dream would be to work in personal management or project management.
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